Celebrating 75 Years--and more to come !

Reaching a 75th Diamond Anniversary in 2024 is a time Chippewa Garden Club embraces the remembrance of their many historic accomplishments. The founders in 1949 started with goals that are the same for CGC members today.

Some of the accomplishments of the club are:

· Yearly tree seedlings given to 3rd graders in the local schools for Arbor Day, with a presentation of the history of the event and the care of their trees,

· Weekly members maintain the Herb Garden at the Squire Rich Museum in Brecksville, and most recently replaced the fence, cleaned the sundial, millstone, and be sure the herbs planted to be historically correct as in the mid 1800’s,

· Yearly at the Brecksville Library, children attend a Mother’s Day & alternating with Father’s Day to receive a plant of which they plant in a pot, receive care tips, and design their personal card for that holiday,

· Quarterly, Seniors at the Broadview Hts. Center through the ‘enrichment program through nature’ are provided a garden and floral design related program,

· Each June, members man a booth at the Brecksville Home Days, giving gardening tips, promoting activities of the club, often offering seed packets & having an activity for adults and children who visit,

· Helped established and yearly mentor two community gardens since 2013, along with a school recess garden since 2014,

· Each year, members brainstorm to create an idea to decorate a tree, wreath or table scape at the Cleveland Botanical Garden,

· Dedicated a Blue Star Memorial on 11/11/11, Veteran’s Day, in the Brecksville Town Square,

· Monthly meetings which enlighten members and guests by presenting a variety of programs relating to gardening, flower design, native plants and wildlife to encourage civic beautification & provide educational opportunities,

· “Glimmer & Shimmer in the Garden” celebrated CGC’s 75th Diamond Anniversary which was the club’s hi-light to present a Standard Flower Show on August 10-11 to the community, by which the members and public can learn & share in the enjoyment of gardening, plants & floral design,

· CGC has received the Garden Club of the Year award in 1970, 1990, 2002, 2005, 2007, 2013, 2015 & 2017, along with in 2021 the SGC-CAR Jean Ladson Award for Outstanding work by a Medium Sized Garden Club,

· CGC continues their involvement in the GCO’s programs & events, i.e., enjoy the North District meetings, attend the State’s Conventions, donating to the ‘Seeds of Friendship’, the Scholarship and Memorial funds, The Nature Conservatory, serving as officers on the GCO Board, including the We R Cleveland Convention which was in April, and include in our activities by following the GCO President’s theme in our yearly Service Projects,

· CGC is a member of the NGC-Atlantic Region, attending many of the schools offered, being involved in programs as the Blue Star Memorial, National Pines and the National Garden Week.

Our journey together is far from over. This milestone serves as a reminder to continue nurturing member relationships, face new challenges, & cherish the bond that has deepened with time.

It’s more a NEW beginning for the community adventures that lie ahead for CGC.

A Heartfelt Thank You to the hundreds of CGC friends that are and were members throughout the past 75 years.

We invite YOU to join us in making new friends, to try something new in 2025 and volunteer in a garden related activity in your community.

Our first meeting of 2025 is February 25 at 6:30 pm at the Brecksville Human Service Building. Check us out at www.ChippewaGardenClub.com and follow us on Facebook.

Hope to see you soon.